Scientists at the 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference have made a groundbreaking discovery on Mars. A giant volcano named Noctis has been uncovered, measuring an impressive 280 miles wide and towering at 29,600 feet high. This massive volcano was found alongside a buried ice glacier near the Red Planet’s equator, shedding new light on Mars’ geological history.
The study, conducted by the SETI Institute and the Mars Institute based at NASA Ames Research Center, revealed that the volcano had been eroded and hidden in plain sight on Mars for decades. The site is marked by several elevated mesas forming an arc and a caldera remnant, along with hydrated mineral deposits and pyroclastic deposits.
In addition to the volcano itself, researchers also discovered a 1,930 square-mile area of volcanic deposits within its perimeter. The volcano sits on the edge of a regional topographic rise called Tharsis, which is home to other giant volcanoes on Mars.
This discovery has significant implications for the search for life on Mars. Scientists believe that the area around Noctis is a prime location for astrobiology and could potentially yield valuable information about the planet’s past. The findings suggest that Mars may have been active from ancient through recent times, making it a promising destination for future exploration missions.
With Mars located 140 million miles from Earth, the discovery of the Noctis volcano opens up new possibilities for understanding the Red Planet’s geological and environmental history. This exciting finding has put Mars back in the spotlight as a potential site for the search for life beyond Earth.
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